kde on Debian Linux

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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:35 pm

Now I've finished whining about my isp, I'm trying to install kde on debian linux (on parallels on a Mac) apt-get update and apt-get install xserver-xfree86 kdebase kdm both worked fine and the installation ran through but then it stayed in the command line interface and rebooting has done nothing, can someone tell me where i'm going wrong as i'm a total Linux noob.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:58 pm

You should be able to start the X server manually by typing "startx" after logging in.

As for making it happen automatically, I'm afraid you'll have to ask someone else, since I always have a desktop environment installed when I install the distro.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 2300

You need to change your run level to 5. Here's a quick guide.

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-changing-run-levels.html

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:13 pm

Tried everything and now getting this. I've made sure every thing was installed as the readmes and forums recomended but banghead

Starting to see now why Linux aint mainstream.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:38 am

Try running the following as root:

Code:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

That should re-run the configuration for X, setting it up properly for your system. For whatever reason, it doesn't appear that any screens were configured when it was installed.

If you want a more 'mainstream' distro, I recommend giving kubuntu a try. It's based on Debian and has KDE installed and working by default, among other useful stuff. It also uses Xorg, which is a more modern X Server than XFree86, the Debian default.

It may be frustrating now, but if you take the time to learn, and embrace the fact that you need to, it's worth it.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:31 am

Quote:

Starting to see now why Linux aint mainstream

And nothing ever goes wrong in windoz. Like I have never had my windoz install hosed and had to completely reinstall. Nice thing about Linux, you will almost never have to reinstall. Everything can be fixed at the command line if nothing else. I would agree that you have to put a little more work at the start, like anything else worth doing.

But as stated you will be much happier in the long run not being Ballmer's bitch. What looks like is happening is that you don't have the GLcore libraries installed. These are for the 3d drivers. I would like to know what you did to have the xserver fail to load after it was working correctly, since it wouldn't change for no reason. Running the reconfigure will fix the xserver configuration part. Then when you get in the command line enter "startx kde" and it should start. Then when you get into kde, enter the kde setup wizards and change the boot to start kde automagically. All this can be done in the command line but that can be later.

Debian isn't mainstream? But it is one of the more difficult distros to use, I understand. So you picked a challenge to start with.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:56 am

anyone ever thought of just writing their own OS?

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:14 am

I did but it takes more than I have at this point. You could just take the basic Linux and modify it. Or start with minix like Linus did. I have read that it is basically fairly easy, of course that is from people who do it for a living, getting all the threads to not interfere with each other and all the interupts seems a lot more difficult.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:07 am

@ DrWho, please doin't think i'm actually attacking Linux as I'm not. The reason i'm trying to run it is that i've heard good things. As for windowns i've NEVER owned a windows machine and im proud of that

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:31 am

When somebody gets all the High end graphic software and CAD tools I use up and running on Linux, I'll switch. It's as simple as that.

For the time being Gates has me by the balls.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:10 pm

More to the point: RL, did you manage to fix the problem?

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:28 pm

No, I think this may be the problem? I have no idea about this. All i know is that i've got an ATI Radeon x1600 in a PCIe slot.

Anyway i'm now downloading Kubuntu

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:48 pm

That just looks like a regular screen from the X configuration to me. However, you ought to have better luck with Kubuntu.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:31 pm

I mean I have no idea how to configure the PCI bus ID

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:41 pm

Ah I see. I'm used to installing on x86/x86-64 machines, so I'd disregarded the "PowerPC users should.." bit.

A bit of guesswork on my part now, as I've not done this before. You can try running "lspci" at the shell (lists all connected PCI devices), and noting down the number at the start of the line that refers to your graphics card, then entering "PCI:(number here)" in the X configuration dialogue, perhaps with a colon in place of the dot.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:44 pm

Cheers mate but i've just dumped Debian. Waiting for Kubuntu fo finish downloading.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:36 pm

I don't think you are dumping on Linux. I just get amused when people think Linux is hard when it is only that it is something new. If you have been running BSD or OSX for 10 years and then switched to windoz, you would be experiencing the same problems with how to do what you want to do. The only problem is that many suppliers wouldn't put in some extra time to write drivers for their hardware or give others the information so they can write their own.

Like the old story of comparing windoz to Linux as airplanes. Windoz has to land every few hours to reset the pilots and is always late taking off and landing. You have to pay for your ticket in advance, there is only first class, and you can't bring any of your personal possessions on board. Linux you have to build your seat but you get to your destination on time and when you wanted with no problems at a low price. But all people can say is, "You have to build your own seat?".

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:42 pm

My Kubuntu should have finished downloading in the next couple of hours and then I get to play jump_4_joy

I am actually really looking forward to trying out Linux